Rolex and the arts
World of Rolex
Rolex’s enthusiasm for the arts and culture is part of the legacy of the values of the company’s founder Hans Wilsdorf. In keeping with a desire to foster excellence and inspire future generations, the brand has developed enduring partnerships with many of the world’s top artists, who always reach further to attain the pinnacle of their discipline. The brand also has long-term associations with the prestigious events, institutions and orchestras that represent the highest level of achievement.
Summer Night Concert
Rolex and the Arts
Every year 100,000 people gather in the Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn, Vienna, for the Vienna Philharmonic’s greatly anticipated Summer Night Concert. This renowned open-air performance has been presented by Rolex annually since 2009. It marks the brand’s partnership with the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the world’s finest musical institutions, and its commitment to making classical music accessible to all.
SALZBURG FESTIVAL
Rolex and the Arts
The Salzburg Festival - founded in 1920 - has established itself as one of the most prestigious of its kind, an event where the performing arts combine with leisure to create a unique experience. Its broad artistic programme brings together the world’s best conductors, stage directors, singers, musicians, actors and orchestras for incomparable performances in opera, drama and concerts. Rolex is proud to be Main Sponsor of the Festival since 2012.
Whitsun Festival
Rolex and the Arts
The Salzburg Whitsun Festival features an impressive repertoire of operas and concerts over the Whitsun week. This musical celebration is led by world-famous mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, who has been a Rolex Testimonee since 1994. Rolex is proud to be the Exclusive Sponsor of the Whitsun Festival as part of its long-standing commitment to artistic development worldwide.
TEATRO ALLA SCALA
Rolex and the Arts
Built in the late 18th century, during the golden age of opera, Teatro alla Scala remains the epicentre of the operatic world. Performances here continue to transcend history and time. Sitting far above in the loggione, the audience today remains high in passion and opinion. However, everyone is in agreement on one thing: there is no other opera house in the world with the magic and enchantment of La Scala.
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
Rolex and the Arts
Undeniable in sight and sound, it's where the world's greatest ballet, opera and orchestral performers bare their souls. Among them famed soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, a Rolex Testimonee since 1976. Majestic. Inspiring. Every masterpiece performed there is a testament to art's past and future. It serves as the hallowed ground of culture. Beauty and elegance for more than 300 years, this grand stage is ready for its next encore.
The Metropolitan Opera
Rolex and the Arts
The Metropolitan Opera, known as the Met, is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions. Located in the heart of New York City, it is a vibrant home for internationally renowned singers, conductors, composers, orchestra musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers and dancers. A performance at the Met – as mythical as it is historic – is a true emblem of professional success, excellence and acclaim.
Opéra National de Paris
Rolex and the Arts
For three centuries, the Opéra has sought to blend tradition with modernity. France’s premier opera company is renowned for staging exceptional productions of the most demanding repertoire and of rarely heard works with the best artists. These original performances and the refined atmosphere attract hundreds of thousands of operagoers a year, and the Opéra National de Paris remains at the forefront of its art on the global stage.
Sir Antonio Pappano
Rolex and the Arts
One of music’s most inspirational and charismatic leaders, Sir Antonio Pappano has been Music Director of the Royal Opera House since 2002. During his tenure, he has regaled audiences in the Covent Garden venue and around the world with his extensive and eclectic repertoire, which he conducts with the gusto of his Italian heritage. He is also a prolific recording artist, both as conductor and pianist.
PLÁCIDO DOMINGO
Rolex and the Arts
“To rest is to rust.” That explains the arc of one man's career as it extends further into astonishing. Over 3,500 performances and the world's most inexhaustible tenor readies himself for something new.
Enduring passion. One of the greatest virtues of man.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Rolex and the Arts
Since her electrifying debut in 1971 as the Countess in a Royal Opera House production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has lent her voice to almost every major opera company around the world. In 1976, she became Rolex’s first cultural Testimonee, forming an instrumental alliance that has blossomed into a long-standing partnership focused on nurturing gifted youth. Her majestic voice and generous spirit contribute to her legendary status within the enchanting arena of operatic arts.
GUSTAVO DUDAMEL
Rolex and the Arts
Venezuelan sensation Gustavo Dudamel is one of the best known and most charismatic conductors of his generation. Born in 1981, a violinist by training, he has been the Los Angeles Philharmonic's music director since late 2009 as well as the director of El Sistema’s Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, comprised of over 200 young musicians aged between 18 and 28. His effervescent enthusiasm and commitment to fostering musical development in youth contribute to his international success.
Benjamin Bernheim
Rolex and the Arts
Recognized for the purity of his beautiful voice, the immense depth of his musical expression and eloquent performances, French tenor Benjamin Bernheim has been captivating audiences at the world’s leading opera houses, including the Royal Opera House, the Zürich Opera House, the Paris Opera and Chicago’s Lyric Opera. The extraordinarily gifted tenor has sung a number of iconic arias and diverse roles – from Lensky to Rodolfo and Faust – earning him a reputation as one of today’s most acclaimed opera singers.
Cecilia Bartoli
Rolex and the Arts
Hailed as one of the world’s best mezzo-sopranos, Cecilia Bartoli is known for her exacting standards. Having made her debut in 1987, aged 21, the Italian opera star soon won international acclaim with performances of Mozart and Rossini. After a sensational 1996 debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Così fan tutte, leading roles at the great opera houses followed. She is also renowned as a recital singer, in particular of lesser-known Baroque music. Bartoli has served as Artistic Director of the Salzburg Whitsun Festival for the past eight years.
Jonas Kaufmann
Rolex and the Arts
With his thrilling, burnished voice and powerful stage presence, German tenor Jonas Kaufmann is among the top performers appearing on the major opera stages worldwide where he is most celebrated for his interpretation of Romantic opera’s great roles in works by Verdi, Wagner, Bizet, Massenet and Puccini. Whether Kaufmann is singing heroic roles or Schubert lieder, critics praise his controlled intensity and sublime phrasing.
Juan Diego Flórez
Rolex and the Arts
Few tenors master bel canto as well as the Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez. With a career that includes performances on the world’s leading stages, he has established himself as one of opera’s greatest talents with his expressive singing. His generosity, charisma and passion inspire his many philanthropic endeavours, in addition to his acclaimed operatic appearances and recordings. Juan Diego Flórez, who joined the Rolex family in 2015, is the recipient of prestigious awards in recognition of his excellence and highest musical achievement.
Sir Bryn Terfel
Rolex and the Arts
Renowned bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel draws the force of his singing talent from his Welsh roots. Since the mid-1990s, Sir Bryn has sung the music of composers as diverse as Richard Strauss, Stravinsky and Gilbert and Sullivan, and has become one of the world’s most sought-after Wagner singers. A Grammy Award winner, his discography includes operas by Mozart, Wagner and Strauss, along with many solo recordings.
Rolando Villazón
Rolex and the Arts
Franco-Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón is one of the world's leading lyric singers. A Rolex Testimonee since 2005, he first came to prominence in 1999 at Plácido Domingo’s Operalia competition and has gone on to star at leading opera houses. He is among the most versatile artists today, also maintaining successful careers as a stage director, novelist, and TV and radio personality. His maiden artistic direction of the 2019 Mozart Week festival, partnered by Rolex, was met with record attendance and sold-out performances.
Yuja Wang
Rolex and the Arts
Described as “magisterial and dazzling” after her Carnegie Hall debut in 2011, young Chinese concert pianist Yuja Wang has conquered the hearts of classical music lovers worldwide who recognize her technical virtuosity. Now appearing regularly with the greatest orchestras of the world, she is also a renowned international recitalist with a range that extends from Bach to Bartók and beyond.
MICHAEL BUBLÉ
Rolex and the Arts
With his mesmerizing voice, charisma and seemingly effortless style, international Canadian superstar Michael Bublé is often referred to as the modern-day King of Swing. With a voice like silk, he enchants audiences around the world with a repertoire that consists of standards from the jazz age to the present day, as well as his own compositions. He has won multiple accolades, including several Grammy Awards.
